Free event features music, arts, crafts, food, and more!

The 19th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival will fill the streets of downtown Sylva on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This historic Jackson County town’s largest festival of the year typically draws thousands of visitors to this free family-friendly event in the mountains of western N.C.

Organized by the Town of Sylva, Greening Up the Mountains features more than 180 vendors, representing arts, crafts, demonstrators, local schools, busi ness, community, environmental, health, safety, children’s activities, and more. The festival will also provide many tasty food options and a plethora of regional musical acts performing on two stages.

Greening up the Mountains began as an Earth Day celebration, and continues to keep its focus on environmental protection, sustainability, and promotion of local businesses and civic groups.

Before the festival officially begins at 10 a.m., there is a 5K Run and Walk starting at 9 a.m., at Mark Watson Park, this Jackson County Parks & Recreation event has a $15 pre-registration fee through April 16. Register online at www.imathlete.com or stop by the Recreation Center in Cullowhee. Race day registration begins at 8 a.m., and the cost will be $20.

Music will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the Mountain Youth Talent Contest at the Sun Trust Lot on Main Street. Music will be held throughout the day at both the Main Street stage and at the Bridge Park gazebo on Railroad Avenue. For more information about this 19-year-old talent contest now lead by the Jackson County 4-H, contact: heather_gordon@ncsu.edu

More than 30 arts and crafts booths and displays will be on Railroad Avenue as well, plus a full Farmer’s Market. Families can visit the “Kid’s Zone” where children can enjoy an inflatable slide, with many kid-friendly booths featuring fun games, arts & crafts and much more. Law Enforcement of Jackson County will be out to meet the public, and share some shaved ice, the “DARE” car display, and more in the “Safety Zone.”

“In this global community, Greening Up the Mountains focuses on local community connections, face-to-face,” said Festival Coordinator Amy Ammons Garza.

If You Go: Greening Up the Mountains Festival, Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Sylva, NC. For more information, call (828) 631-4587, e-mail greeningupthemountains@gmail.com, visit www.greeningupthemountains.com, like the event on Facebook, or call the Town of Sylva at (828) 586-2719.